Microphone and microphone mounting



12, 1931, H. J, ELLE; L855352 MICROPHONE AND MICROPHONE MOUNTING Filed Oct. 9, 1929 Patented May 12, 1931 PATENT OFFICE HUGH J. ELLIS, OF IBERWYN, ILLINOIS I MICROPHONE AND MICROPHONE MOUNTING- Application filed October a, 1929. Serial No. 898,367.

The present invention relates to microphones and microphone mountings for use-in telephone, radio and other like service where it isrequlred to transmit sounds. In radio 3 broadcasting especially, it frequently occurs that it is desirable to change the microphone unit, either because it is not rendering satisfactory service, or because of defects develing which require that the unit be replaced. I? there is much labor and time required to make an exchange, the radio is silent for that length of time. It is further important for radio and similar service, that the microphone shall not transmit any vibrations caused by vibrations of the earth, the building, or the support or frame within which the microphone unit is housed. I

Une'of the objects of my present invention is to rovidea microphone which shall not repro was any vibrations excepting such as im inge upon the diaphragm from the air.

other object is to provide a microphone mounting in which the microphone unit may be easily and quickly exchanged for another, with almost no loss of time in broadcasting.

Another object is to provide a-microphone which shall be simple in construction, easily assembled lowin cost and not likely to get out of order, and can be easily repaired at sli ht cost I ith the above and other objects in view, which will more particularly a pear in the following specification, I have s own in the accompanying drawin s, one embodiment of my improvement which shows my preferred construction for radio broadcasting. From the description following, it will be readily seen that 1t may be adapted to a variety of uses by simple variations in assembly. In the drawings herewith, I

Figure 1 shows a rear elevation of one of microphones. d igure 2 is a detail view of the microphone frame 11 as it appears when removed from the support.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the inner ring 5 as it appears when: unmounted from the other parts shown in the Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of the microphone frame 11 taken from the right in Figure 2.

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The accompanying drawings illustrate one method of mounting my improved microphone, which is designed especially for use in radio broadcasting and the like service. For this use there is usually provided a supporting standard 3 of any height that may be required for the specific use to which the microphone is to be applied, or this standard may be adjustable as to height. A suitable base (not shown) is usually prbvided for holding the standard and parts mounted thereon firmly in position. An outer ring l'is mounted at the top of the standard 3. Within this ring I have provided a second or inner ring 5 pi a much smaller diameter than the ring 1 as shown. The outer ring has inwardly directed eye-sockets 2, 2, 2, 2-,suitably spaced, and the inner ring 5 has a similar number of outwardly directed eye-sockets on its outer margin and spaced similar to those on ring 1. 7 Coiled tension springs are shown 6, 6, 6, 6, etc. connecting the eye-sockets 2, 2, 2, 2 with the eye-sockets 4, 4, 4, 4 respectively, to support the ring 5 spaced from the ring 1 therewithin, and approximately concentric therewith. Rubber bands may be employed equally well in supporting the inner rmg, if preferred. By this method of sup orting the inner ring 5 a spring cushioning e act is produced, whereby any vibrations which may be communicated directl to the outer ring 1 are fully absorbed by t e springs (or rubber bands) and are not communicated to the inner ring and the microphone unit therewithin, as would occur if the inner ring 5 were rigidly supported from the ring 1 or standard 3, as has been formerly the practice.

' At suitable locations on the outer margin of the ring 5 I have provided the lugs 8, 15, 16, which may be attached to said ring by any suitable means, as screws. The lug 8 is in direct electrical contact-with the ring 5 and is preferably provided with the rearwardly extending threaded post 10, with a knurled nut 9 upon said post. I have provided suitable insulation between the lugs 15 and 16 respectively, and the ring 5, to insulate them from the said ring against any electnc current passing therebetween. Each of these lugs 15 and 16 has a spring clip 19 mounted I0 upon it as shown for the purpose hereinafter explained.

The numeral 11 indicates the frame of the microphone which is formed along its for- Ward outer margin with a diameter less than the inner diameter of the ring 5 in order that it may be freely inserted within said ring when desired. A shoulder 20 is formed near the rear of the outer surface for the purpose of engaging the rear surface of the ring and limit the distance which said frame may be entered within said ring. lhe frame 11 has the outwardly projecting engaging members 12, 17 and 18 shown in Figures 1 and 2.

These members 12, 17, 18 are of a lilre number with the lugs on the inner ring, and so spaced that they engage and register with said lugs when in juxtaposition thereon. The member 12 has a notch 13' at one edge suitably positioned to engage the post 10 when the frame 11 is placed within the ring 5, and ro tated to permit engagement therewith. 'l he members 17 and 18 are of a suitable shape and designed to engage the spring clips 15 and 16 respectively at the same time that the member 12 engages the post 10. insulation is provided between the members 17 and 18 and the frame 11, to electrically insulate said members from said frame while the member 12 has no such insulation and is in direct electrical contact with said frame 11..

Two electrical wire connections are usually provided for operation of the microphone unit, and in the present instance, these are connected one directly to the ring 5 at 941 and the other to the two lugs 15 and 16 at 22, 23. One side of the microphone unit is in con tact with the frame 11 and is in electrical connection with the wire connection through the frame 11, member 12 and lug 8 attached to the ring 5, while the other side of the microphone unit 14 is connected to the members 17 and 18, and through them to the lu ,s 15 and 16 to the wire connections 22, 28. T e microphone unit 14; is usually provided with a thread on its outer margin which engages a co-operating thread within the frame 11, and it is screwed into said frame when it is desired to mount it therein. In employing my imroved microphones and microphone mountmgs in use, there are provided as many microphone units 1 1 as required for proper service, each mounted within a frame 11. If the microphone unit that is mounted within the ring 5 is required to be removed and another substituted for any reason, all the operations which are necessary will be to loosen the nut 9, turn the frame 11 backward until the members 12, 17 and 18 are out of engagement with the respective ortions 12, 15, and 16, and withdraw the ame from the inner ring 5. Another microphone unit is insertedby placing the frame 11 within the inner ring 5, turn ing to theright until the portions 12,17 and 18 engagethe portions 8, 15 and 16 as shown,

and tighten the nut 9. It will be seen that it is unnecessary to disconnect the wire connec tions and the spring sup orts as has been formerly the practice, an my present construction thus permits rapid change-of microphone unit without danger of alteration of the wire connections or spring supports. It will be seen that the change can be easily, surely and quickly made, as it requires but the loosening and tightening of one nut to release the former unit, and attach the new unit in place, thus saving annoying interruption in the broadcasting.

While I have shown my invention as applied to use in radio broadcasting, which is the most exacting use now required from such a microphone, I do not wish to be confined to its use for such purpose only, but wish to claim it broadly for every place and purpose for which it is readily adaptable. Nhile l have shown the mounting at the top of a standard, it will be apparent that it may be suspended from above equally well, without departing from my invention. While 1 have shown my microphone mounted by means of tension springs, it will be apparent that other cushioning means may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention to accomplish the same results. While l have shown parts 9, 15, 16 for engaging the members 12, 17, 18 and holding them securely in place, it will be apparent that other means may be employed equall well to hold and lock said members and said frame in relative position within and spaced from said 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is the following 1. In a microphone for use in radio broadcasting, the combination of an outer ring, an inner ring supported within said outer ring by means of tension springs, a microphone unit removably mounted within said inner ring, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a microphone device for use in radio broadcasting, an outer ring suitably mounted for use, a smaller inner ring mounted within said outer ring by vibration absorbing means, lugs on the outer surface of said inner ring, engaging means upon said lugs, a microphone frame detachably mounted within said inner ring and members attached to said frame for engagement with the engaging means upon the innerring.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a microphone unit, an engaging member attached directly to said unit having a notch in one portion thereof, two additional engaging members attached to but suitably insulated from said unit, a ring without said unit lugs attached to said ring, one of said lugs avlng a threaded post and nut thereon, and two of said lugs having sprin clips, and being suitably insulated from said ring and vibration absorbing means forsupneoases porting said ring, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a device of the class described, a demountable microphone mounting comprising a ring, vibration absorbin means for mounting said ring, a post attac ed to said ring, a nut u on said post, suitable spring clips attached to said ring,being insulated therefrom, a microphone unit demountably mountm ed within said ring, a member upon said unit for engagement with said post on the ring, other members for engagement with the spring clips upon said ring, said latter members being suitably-insulated from said unit, substantially as shown and described.

5. A microphone mounting comprising an outer ring, an inner ring supported within said outer ring by resilient means, and a microphone unit removably mounted within said inner rin% 6. A microp one mounting comprising an outer ring, an inner ring supported within said outer rin by resilient means, c1ips attached to the inner ring, a microphone unit g5 having members engageable with said clips for removably mounting said microphone Within said inner ring.

In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoing specification.

HUGH J. ELLIS. 

